US6356841B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
G.P.S. management system
Assignee: Meta Platforms Inc
•
Filing: 1999-12-29
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Granted: 2002-03-12
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Expires: 2019-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A management system using Global Positioning System receivers for tracking remote units from a central office and quickly and conveniently determining if those remote units have varied from a set of predetermined parameters of operation. The system also includes provisions that allows information to be sent from the remote units to the central office and vice versa. The system also has safety features that promote the rapid dispatch of law enforcement personnel when requests for emergency assistance have been made from the remote units.
Inventors
- 👤 Marvin R. Hamrick
- 👤 R. T. Mitchell Ingman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:25
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B25/00; G08B25/01; G08B25/016; G01; G01S; G01S19/00; G01S19/01; G01S19/13; G01S19/14; G01S19/16; G06; G06F; G06F7/00; G07; G07C; G07C5/00; G07C5/008; G08B25/001; G08B25/002; G08B25/005; G08B25/006; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/20; G08G1/205; H; H04; H04W; H04W4/00; H04W4/02; H04W4/029; H04W4/90; H04W64/00; H04W76/00; H04W76/50; G01S5/00; G01S5/0009; G01S5/0018; G01S5/0036; G08G1/207; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/903; Y10S128/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 57
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A system comprising: a remote unit in communication with a central location, the remote unit comprising a Global Positioning System receiver, a processor in communication with the Global Positioning System receiver and in communication with a memory, the remote unit transmitting Global Positioning System data to the central location, wherein the central location compares the Global Positioning System data to a predetermined parameter having a range of acceptable values, and notes if the predetermined parameter is outside the range of acceptable values; and wherein the system receives a signal from an ignition sensor, determines the location of the vehicle, retrieves a time and stores the time as a start to a shift time.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
113 words
A system comprising: a remote unit in communication with a central location, the remote unit comprising a Global Positioning System receiver, a processor in communication with the Global Positioning System receiver and in communication with a memory, the remote unit transmitting Global Positioning System data to the central location, wherein the central location compares the Global Positioning System data to a predetermined parameter having a range of acceptable values, and notes if the predetermined parameter is outside the range of acceptable values; and wherein the system receives a signal from an ignition sensor, determines the location of the vehicle, retrieves a time and stores the time as a start to a shift time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein the remote unit communicates with an ignition sensor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system according to claim 2 , wherein a service center location is designated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein the actual start of shift time is compared to a predetermined range of start of shift times, wherein if the actual start of shift time is outside the predetermined range of start of shift times, then the system notes an exception.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein the actual speed of the remote unit is compared to a predetermined speed and if the actual speed is greater than the predetermined speed, the system notes an exception.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein the length of time the remote unit remains in a stationary position monitored and is compared to a predetermined stationary, and if the length of time that the remote unit remains in a stationary position is greater than the predetermined stationary time, the system notes an exception.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein the actual number of times a remote unit is within a predetermined proximity to a service location is compared to a predetermined number of proximities to a service center and if the actual number of proximities to a service center is greater than the predetermined number of proximities, then the system notes an exception.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein the length of time a remote unit is in motion is defined as an actual windshield time, and wherein the actual windshield time is compared to a predetermined range of windshield times, and if the actual windshield time is outside the predetermined range of windshield times, the system notes an exception.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
The system according to claim 8 , wherein the system communicates with an ignition sensor and determines the actual length of time the ignition is turned on for a predetermined time period, the resulting value being defined as a cumulative ignition time, wherein the system compares the actual cumulative ignition time with the windshield time and notes an exception if the ignition time exceeds the windshield time by a predetermined margin.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein a distance traveled by the remote unit in a predetermined time period is defined as actual travel distance, and wherein the system compares the actual travel distance to a predetermined range of travel distances and notes an exception if the actual travel distance is outside the predetermined range of travel distances.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein the remote unit detects a loss of Global Positioning System signal and stores information associated with the loss of signal.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
119 words
A system comprising: (a) a central location; (b) a remote unit in communication with the central location, the remote unit in communication with a Global Positioning System receiver and receiving Global Positioning System information from the Global Positioning System receiver; wherein: the remote unit having a first state wherein the remote unit consumes a first quantity of power and a second state where the remote unit consumes a second quantity of power, the first quantity of being greater than the second quantity of power; the remote unit storing the Global Positioning System information in a memory wherein the remote unit transmits the Global Positioning System information to the central location when the remote unit is in the second state.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
119 words
A system comprising: (a) a central location; (b) a remote unit in communication with the central location, the remote unit in communication with a Global Positioning System receiver and receiving Global Positioning System information from the Global Positioning System receiver; wherein: the remote unit having a first state wherein the remote unit consumes a first quantity of power and a second state where the remote unit consumes a second quantity of power, the first quantity of being greater than the second quantity of power; the remote unit storing the Global Positioning System information in a memory wherein the remote unit transmits the Global Positioning System information to the central location when the remote unit is in the second state.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system according to claim 12 , wherein the remote unit is in the first state when a vehicle is on and the remote unit is in a second state when the vehicle is off.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system according to claim 12 , wherein the remote unit is in the first state during a predetermined time coinciding with the work shift of a technician and wherein the remote unit is in the second state during a time other than the predetermined time.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system according to claim 12 , wherein other information, in addition to the Global Positioning System information, is stored in the memory.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 12 , wherein other information is stored in the memory.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
113 words
A system comprising: a remote unit in communication with a central location, the remote unit comprising a Global Positioning System receiver, a processor in communication with the Global Positioning System receiver and in communication with a memory, the remote unit transmitting Global Positioning System data to the central location, wherein the central location compares the Global Positioning System data to a predetermined parameter having a range of acceptable values, and notes if the predetermined parameter is outside the range of acceptable values; and wherein the actual speed of the remote unit is compared to a predetermined speed and if the actual speed is greater than the predetermined speed, the system notes an exception.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
113 words
A system comprising: a remote unit in communication with a central location, the remote unit comprising a Global Positioning System receiver, a processor in communication with the Global Positioning System receiver and in communication with a memory, the remote unit transmitting Global Positioning System data to the central location, wherein the central location compares the Global Positioning System data to a predetermined parameter having a range of acceptable values, and notes if the predetermined parameter is outside the range of acceptable values; and wherein the actual speed of the remote unit is compared to a predetermined speed and if the actual speed is greater than the predetermined speed, the system notes an exception.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system according to claim 17 , wherein a length of time the remote unit remains in a stationary position is monitored and is compared to a predetermined stationary time, and if the length of time that the remote unit remains in a stationary position is greater than the predetermined stationary time, the system notes an exception.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 17 , wherein the remote unit detects a loss of Global Positioning System signal and stores information associated with the loss of signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system according to claim 17 , wherein the remote unit has a first state wherein the remote unit consumes a first quantity of power and a second state where the remote unit consumes a second quantity of power, the first quantity of power being greater than the second quantity of power.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system according to claim 17 , wherein at least one report is generated.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system according to claim 17 , wherein the system notes if the predetermined parameter is outside the range of acceptable values by generating a report that includes information related to the instances where the predetermined parameter is outside the range of acceptable values.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
133 words
A system comprising: a remote unit in communication with a central location, the remote unit comprising a Global Positioning System receiver, a processor in communication with the Global Positioning System receiver and in communication with a memory, the remote unit transmitting Global Positioning System data to the central location, wherein the central location compares the Global Positioning System data to a predetermined parameter having a range of acceptable values, and notes if the predetermined parameter is outside the range of acceptable values; and wherein the length of time the remote unit remains in a stationary position is monitored and is compared to a predetermined stationary time, and if the length of time that the remote unit remains in a stationary position is greater than the predetermined stationary time, the system notes an exception.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
133 words
A system comprising: a remote unit in communication with a central location, the remote unit comprising a Global Positioning System receiver, a processor in communication with the Global Positioning System receiver and in communication with a memory, the remote unit transmitting Global Positioning System data to the central location, wherein the central location compares the Global Positioning System data to a predetermined parameter having a range of acceptable values, and notes if the predetermined parameter is outside the range of acceptable values; and wherein the length of time the remote unit remains in a stationary position is monitored and is compared to a predetermined stationary time, and if the length of time that the remote unit remains in a stationary position is greater than the predetermined stationary time, the system notes an exception.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system according to claim 23 , wherein the actual speed of the remote unit is compared to a predetermined speed and if the actual speed is greater than the predetermined speed, the system notes an exception.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 23 , wherein the remote unit detects a loss of Global Positioning System signal and stores information associated with the loss of signal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system according to claim 23 , wherein the remote unit has a first state wherein the remote unit consumes a first quantity of power and a second state where the remote unit consumes a second quantity of power, the first quantity of power being greater than the second quantity of power.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system according to claim 23 , wherein at least one report is generated.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system according to claim 23 , wherein the system notes if the predetermined parameter is outside the range of acceptable values by generating a report that includes information related to the instances where the predetermined parameter is outside the range of acceptable values.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
138 words
A system comprising: a remote unit in communication with a central location, the remote unit comprising a Global Positioning System receiver, a processor in communication with the Global Positioning System receiver and in communication with a memory, the remote unit transmitting Global Positioning System data to the central location, wherein the central location compares the Global Positioning System data to a predetermined parameter having a range of acceptable values, and notes if the predetermined parameter is outside the range of acceptable values; and wherein the actual number of times a remote unit is within a predetermined proximity to a service location is compared to a predetermined number of proximities to a service center and if the actual number of proximities to a service center is greater than the predetermined number of proximities, then the system notes an exception.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
138 words
A system comprising: a remote unit in communication with a central location, the remote unit comprising a Global Positioning System receiver, a processor in communication with the Global Positioning System receiver and in communication with a memory, the remote unit transmitting Global Positioning System data to the central location, wherein the central location compares the Global Positioning System data to a predetermined parameter having a range of acceptable values, and notes if the predetermined parameter is outside the range of acceptable values; and wherein the actual number of times a remote unit is within a predetermined proximity to a service location is compared to a predetermined number of proximities to a service center and if the actual number of proximities to a service center is greater than the predetermined number of proximities, then the system notes an exception.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system according to claim 29 , wherein the actual speed of the remote unit is compared to a predetermined speed and if the actual speed is greater than the predetermined speed, the system notes an exception.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system according to claim 29 , wherein a length of time the remote unit remains in a stationary position is monitored and is compared to a predetermined stationary time, and if the length of time that the remote unit remains in a stationary position is greater than the predetermined stationary time, the system notes an exception.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 29 , wherein the remote unit detects a loss of Global Positioning System signal and stores information associated with the loss of signal.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system according to claim 29 , wherein the remote unit has a first state wherein the remote unit consumes a first quantity of power and a second state where the remote unit consumes a second quantity of power, the first quantity of power being greater than the second quantity of power.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system according to claim 29 , wherein at least one report is generated.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system according to claim 29 , wherein the system notes if the predetermined parameter is outside the range of acceptable values by generating a report that includes information related to the instances where the predetermined parameter is outside the range of acceptable values.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
134 words
A system comprising: a remote unit in communication with a central location, the remote unit comprising a Global Positioning System receiver, a processor in communication with the Global Positioning System receiver and in communication with a memory, the remote unit transmitting Global Positioning System data to the central location, wherein the central location compares the Global Positioning System data to a predetermined parameter having a range of acceptable values, and notes if the predetermined parameter is outside the range of acceptable values; wherein the length of time a remote unit is in motion is defined as an actual windshield time, and wherein the actual windshield time is compared to a predetermined range of windshield times, and if the actual windshield time is outside the predetermined range of windshield times, the system notes an exception.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
134 words
A system comprising: a remote unit in communication with a central location, the remote unit comprising a Global Positioning System receiver, a processor in communication with the Global Positioning System receiver and in communication with a memory, the remote unit transmitting Global Positioning System data to the central location, wherein the central location compares the Global Positioning System data to a predetermined parameter having a range of acceptable values, and notes if the predetermined parameter is outside the range of acceptable values; wherein the length of time a remote unit is in motion is defined as an actual windshield time, and wherein the actual windshield time is compared to a predetermined range of windshield times, and if the actual windshield time is outside the predetermined range of windshield times, the system notes an exception.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system according to claim 36 , wherein the actual speed of the remote unit is compared to a predetermined speed and if the actual speed is greater than the predetermined speed, the system notes an exception.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system according to claim 36 , wherein a length of time the remote unit remains in a stationary position is monitored and is compared to a predetermined stationary time, and if the length of time that the remote unit remains in a stationary position is greater than the predetermined stationary time, the system notes an exception.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 36 , wherein the remote unit detects a loss of Global Positioning System signal and stores information associated with the loss of signal.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system according to claim 36 , wherein the remote unit has a first state wherein the remote unit consumes a first quantity of power and a second state where the remote unit consumes a second quantity of power, the first quantity of power being greater than the second quantity of power.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system according to claim 36 , wherein at least one report is generated.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system according to claim 36 , wherein the system notes if the predetermined parameter is outside the range of acceptable values by generating a report that includes information related to the instances where the predetermined parameter is outside the range of acceptable values.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
72 words
The system according to claim 36 , wherein the system communicates with an ignition sensor and determines the actual length of time the ignition is turned on for a predetermined time period, the resulting value being defined as a cumulative ignition time, and wherein the system compares the actual cumulative ignition time with the windshield time and notes an exception if the ignition time exceeds the windshield time by a predetermined margin.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
104 words
A system comprising: a remote unit in communication with a central office, the remote unit comprising a Global Positioning System receiver, a processor in communication with the Global Positioning System receiver and in communication with a memory, the remote unit transmitting Global Positioning System data to the central office, wherein the central officer compares the Global Positioning System data to a predetermined parameter having a range of acceptable values, and notes if the predetermined parameter is outside the range of acceptable values; and wherein the remote unit detects a loss of Global Positioning System signal and stores information associated with the loss of signal.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
104 words
A system comprising: a remote unit in communication with a central office, the remote unit comprising a Global Positioning System receiver, a processor in communication with the Global Positioning System receiver and in communication with a memory, the remote unit transmitting Global Positioning System data to the central office, wherein the central officer compares the Global Positioning System data to a predetermined parameter having a range of acceptable values, and notes if the predetermined parameter is outside the range of acceptable values; and wherein the remote unit detects a loss of Global Positioning System signal and stores information associated with the loss of signal.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system according to claim 44 , wherein the actual speed of the remote unit is compared to a predetermined speed and if the actual speed is greater than the predetermined speed, the system notes an exception.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system according to claim 44 , wherein a length of time the remote unit remains in a stationary position monitored and is compared to a predetermined stationary time, and if the length of time that the remote unit remains in a stationary position is greater than the predetermined stationary time, the system notes an exception.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 44 , wherein the remote unit detects a loss of Global Positioning System signal and stores information associated with the loss of signal.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system according to claim 44 , wherein the remote unit has a first state wherein the remote unit consumes a first quantity of power and a second state where the remote unit consumes a second quantity of power, the first quantity of being greater than the second quantity of power.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system according to claim 44 , wherein at least one report is generated.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system according to claim 44 , wherein the system notes if the predetermined parameter is outside the range of acceptable values by generating a report that includes information related to the instances where the predetermined parameter is outside the range of acceptable values.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-03-11 | 2005-09-10 | 2006-03-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-03-11 | 2009-09-10 | 2010-03-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-03-11 | 2013-09-10 | 2014-03-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |